Immense skills keep Light Horse tradition alive

RESIDENTS took a step back in time as Light Horse troops from Scone, New South Wales, to Rockhampton, descended onto the Toowoomba Showgrounds yesterday for the Queensland Mounted Infantry Challenge 2016.

The one-of-a-kind event was hosted by the 11th Light Horse Darling Downs and residents were entertained all day with Light Horse re-enactments.

President Kym Flehr said it was a terrific day out with representatives from 12 different troops across Queensland and New South Wales.

"The challenge offers a great variety in ability with the riders but the whole purpose of it is to build experience and get participation," he said.

"That tent pegging takes immense skill - more than you'd realise."

Mr Flehr said the main objective was to get all the troops together.

"A lot of people that want to be involved in the Light Horse don't want to learn the skills so we've been trying to get them started and having a go," he said.

"It gets men, women and people from all walks of life together."

While these days the horses have been replaced by the Australian Light Armoured Vehicle (ASLAV) and Bushman vehicles, Mr Flehr said keeping the tradition alive was important.